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Javier Penalva
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Alba Mora
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Karen Alfaro
WriterCommunications professional with a decade of experience as a copywriter, proofreader, and editor. As a travel and science journalist, I've collaborated with several print and digital outlets around the world. I'm passionate about culture, music, food, history, and innovative technologies.
Apple is updating its product line, including the MacBook Air, one of the company’s flagship products. The new models have arrived less than a year after Apple released the previous version and feature the new M4 chips.
The M4 MacBook Air maintains most of the specs from the previous generation, with the M4 chip being the most significant addition. A welcome surprise is that the entry-level model now includes 16 GB of unified memory and is also priced lower than its predecessor.
Table of Contents (4)
MacBook Air (M4, 13-inch) Specs
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M4 MACBOOK AIR |
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SCREEN |
13-inch Liquid Retina display 500 nits brightness Wide color (P3) True Tone technology 60 Hz refresh rate |
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SIZE AND WEIGHT |
11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 inches 2.7 pounds |
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PROCESSOR |
Apple M4 chip 10-core CPU 8 or 10-core GPU 120 GB/s memory bandwidth |
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MEMORY |
16 GB / 24 GB / 32 GB |
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STORAGE |
256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB / 2 TB |
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PORTS |
2x Thunderbolt 4 |
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CONNECTIVITY |
Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) Bluetooth 5.3 |
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CAMERA WEB |
12 MP camera with support for Center Stage and Desk View |
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AUDIO |
Four-speaker sound system Three-mic array with directional beamforming |
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BATTERY |
Up to 18 hours video streaming |
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OPERATING SYSTEM |
macOS Sequoia |
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PRICE |
13-inch MacBook Air (M4, 2025)
Design, Display, and Audio: Same Old, Same Old, Except for a New Color
Apple has unified the design language across the MacBook Pro and Air series, which is something I like. Having used all previous generations, the regular design with uniform thickness is a success, and it looks great on the MacBook Air.
The 13-inch MacBook Air I tested particularly benefits from this design. Its slim profile of just 0.44 inches and weight of 2.7 pounds make it compact and easy to carry, while also being visually appealing.
The standout feature of the MacBook Air M4 at the design level is the new Sky Blue color, which is attractive and likely one of the most sought-after options in the latest Apple laptop line.
However, many users will likely require additional accessories to expand connectivity. The new MacBook Air comes with only two Thunderbolt 4 ports (USB-C), which support charging and DisplayPort. Both are located on the left side of the device.
You’ll also find the MagSafe 3 charging port on the left side, while the right side houses the 3.5 mm headphone jack. It remains a curious choice from Apple.
Unfortunately, there are no USB-A ports or additional USB-C ports. There’s also no HDMI port for more standard outputs, which can be necessary in several work or study scenarios.
The two Thunderbolt 4 ports on the MacBook Air.
The connectivity features remain unchanged, with Wi-Fi 6E instead of Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 4.3 instead of an upgraded version.
A noteworthy addition is the new webcam, which offers quality comparable to the Pro models. This 12 MP Center Stage camera supports Desk View and 1080p video recording. While it has a dedicated space in the notch, it doesn’t support FaceID. Instead, users can rely on the built-in fingerprint reader located on the power button.
The new camera has improved quality and interesting effects like Desk View.
Among the two M4 MacBook Air models, I reviewed the 13.6-inch version. Thanks to its relatively small bezels and high-quality panel, the experience perfectly balances portability and usability.
The new 13-inch MacBook Air features an IPS Liquid Retina display with a 2,560 x 1,664 native resolution at 224 ppi. It also offers a brightness of 500 nits, wide color (P3), and True Tone technology.
The M4 MacBook Air’s display experience is satisfactory, showcasing slightly higher quality compared to the average in its price range, especially in terms of brightness and resolution. However, it’s not designed for high-end users. The panel’s refresh rate is 60 Hz, which may feel somewhat low even for the consumer market.
Meanwhile, the sound quality when playing several types of content is notably above the industry average. It features a powerful and balanced four-speaker system. The new MacBook Air supports spatial audio with Dolby Atmos and dynamic head tracking for use with AirPods.
Along with the high-quality webcam, the M4 MacBook Air also includes a three-mic array with directional beamforming technology.
Additionally, the device effectively utilizes available space, maintaining a full keyboard that’s very comfortable to use, complete with full-height function keys.
The typing experience is among the best on the market, offering minimal noise, excellent lateral response and stability. The keyboard also has good key travel and backlighting that automatically adjusts based on ambient light.
While the touchpad may not be as large as those in models with larger screens, it maximizes available space. Additionally, it delivers an exceptional user experience with top-notch response, precision, and a pleasant feel.
Power and Battery Life: Raising the Bar Without Raising the Price
I must admit that I was surprised by Apple’s decision to add the M4 chips to the Air lineup. Although this move makes sense, the performance improvement compared to the previous generation is minimal.
However, I believe this is a good evolution, given that Apple has paired the SoC upgrade with more unified memory. Additionally, the company has slightly reduced the price of the model.
The new 13-inch MacBook Air M4 starts at $999. The base model comes with 16 GB of RAM and 256 GB of internal storage, making it a solid option—except for the high cost of upgrades. Doubling the SSD capacity (and adding two more GPU cores) costs an extra $200, while upgrading to 24 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage adds $400.
Tests show that the SSDs in the Air models lag behind the Pro range, with read and write speeds around 3,000 MB/s.
The M4 chip itself isn’t entirely new but is a familiar upgrade. It features a 10-core CPU, an 8- to 10-core GPU, and a 16-core neural engine, supporting up to 32 GB of unified memory and 120 GB/s memory bandwidth.
For everyday computing, the M4 chip runs seamlessly. Whether opening 30 RAW files simultaneously in Pixelmator Pro or juggling dozens of browser tabs, users won’t notice slowdowns.
In synthetic performance tests, the MacBook Air M4 shows undeniable improvements over the M3 model.
In the Cinebench 2024 benchmark, the new 13-inch MacBook Air M4 jumped from 652 to 822 points in multi-core performance and from 141 to 172 points in single-core performance. The performance leap was even more significant at the GPU level, where the MacBook Air M3 rose from 3,375 to 4,142 points in the new Air M4.
Even when running Cinebench tests on battery power rather than plugged in, as is common in performance tests, the MacBook Air M4 maintains strong performance. The same holds true for stress tests, where the 13-inch MacBook Air M4 remains consistent over time.
In another benchmark test, Geekbench 6, the new M4 chip tops 3,800 points in the single-core test (compared to 3,187 for last year’s M3 model) and 14,300 in the multi-core test (up from 12,059 with the M3).
Continuing with GPU performance analysis, it reaches 8,764 points in the 3DMark Wild Life Extreme test. In GFXBench, it exceeds 54.4 fps in the Aztec Ruins 4K test, improving on the previous generation’s results.
Finally, the 13-inch MacBook Air M4 2025 scored more than 1,000 points in the Blender test.
What about AI performance? Apple’s dedicated neural engine in the M4 chip delivers strong AI performance, making this a consumer laptop ready for Apple Intelligence’s expected features.
Thermally, the MacBook Air M4 remains impressively cool. It doesn't overheat, even when placed on a lap or under heavy workloads. Since it’s passively cooled, it remains completely silent—another advantage of the Air line.
Regarding autonomy, battery life has long been a MacBook Air strength, and the M4 model continues that tradition.
While Apple lists 15 to 18 hours of battery life for video playback and web browsing, real-world use is more relevant.
The 53.8 Wh lithium-polymer battery delivers 12 to 13 hours of mixed-use at 50% brightness. Users can leave home or work without worrying about needing a charger, even under heavy workloads.
Although this charger isn't included with the base model, upgrading is recommended.
Apple includes a 30 W charger with the base model, while the 35 W dual-port USB-C charger comes with the version featuring a 10-core M4 GPU. However, for fast charging, users must purchase Apple’s 70 W adapter separately.
Charging via MagSafe 3 provides a status indicator, but users can also charge through USB-C, albeit less efficiently.
MacBook Air (M4, 13-inch): Xataka’s Opinion
Apple’s near-annual MacBook Air updates continue, and the M4 model brings meaningful improvements. With the base RAM doubled to 16 GB, better battery life, and a starting price of $999, it’s an excellent value.
The design remains compact, lightweight, and attractive, with above-average screen brightness and the new Sky Blue color option. However, connectivity remains limited.
While the M4 chip offers far more power than most consumers need, the SSD speeds are merely adequate. The Air remains whisper-quiet, with a great keyboard and trackpad.
As always with Apple, buyers should carefully consider their needs before purchasing, as upgrading storage or memory significantly increases the price.
9.0
Pros
- Sleek and compact design.
- Apple reaffirms its dominance in raw power, even without dedicated graphics.
- The battery life you need for effortless portability.
Cons
- The base model is more affordable with improved specs, but upgrades remain pricey.
- A 60 Hz refresh rate feels outdated in 2025.
- Limited connectivity may be a drawback.
13-inch MacBook Air (M4, 2025)
The device has been loaned for testing by Apple. You can learn more about our review process in the Xataka On Reviews Policy and our Corporate Relations Policy.
Images | Xataka On
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